PRIVATE PARTS & PIECES

An essential album if you like early Genesis. This is the source of that 12-string guitar sound, and if Anthony remained with the band, some of this music would undoubtedly have ended up on some Genesis albums. Anthony chose to leave, and took that wistfully melodic, romantic, pastoral sound with him, and this collection represents it perfectly. The intricate layering of acoustic guitars is just breathtaking, especially on Tregenna Afternoons - what a shame it was not a Genesis song! The impressionistic Beauty And The Beast makes one think of the rapid arpeggios of Tony Banks. Flamingos is a remarkable piano piece - 11+ minutes long, which shows off Phillips' impressive piano skills. On the composition side, the pieces are all well constructed and combine classical music with folk, but in a way that is unique and original. The delightful artwork of Peter Cross is a bonus, too - a joy too look at, and it fits the atmosphere so well... again it makes me think it would have been perfect on a Genesis album!